The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the ruling party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), opened its 7th Congress on Friday.
It is the first WPK congress in 36 years and the first under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Considered the most significant political event for the country in 2016, the congress is highlighted by observers not only as a decision-making occasion when the ruling party mulls new state and economic policies, makes medium- and long-term development plans, but also as a chance for the DPRK to strengthen the army and people's loyalty to the leadership.
The year 2016 is the third year since Kim initiated the "Line of Byungjin" to simultaneously push forward economic growth and bolster nuclear capability, at a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee in March, 2013.
Analysts say the 7th congress may place focus on further consolidating the policy of developing nuclear weapons and national economy at the same time and emphasize the DPRK's status as a nuclear state.
An estimated 3,000 party representatives from across the country will be attending the sessions, which presumably last three days.
More than 100 foreign journalists were asked to stay outside the meeting venue and interview Pyongyang residents around, but denied access to the assembly hall.
Yoon Hae Ryoong, a senior student majoring in mechanics from Kim Il Sung University, told Xinhua that he sees the 7th congress as a historical watershed in the revolutionary cause of the DPRK.
He said that as a young college student, he was lucky to take part in the parade and torch march to help the congress bear more fruits.
He said the concurrent development of nuclear weapons and national economy, which is an inheritance of the line of simultaneously developing national defense and economy, is a long-term strategic line, rather than a temporary makeshift to deal with "U.S. imperialists."
The DPRK official media have not reported about the ongoing congress. It is projected that Kim might be delivering a long report for several hours at the opening session.
Pyongyang announced in late October 2015 that the 7th WPK congress will be convened in early May. The 6th congress was held in 1980.
